Ask the doctor: Can I take a diuretic?
Ask the doctor
These medications work on different parts of the kidney, forcing it to make a more dilute form of urine than it would otherwise produce. Doctors have known for decades that combining these two drugs dramatically accelerates water loss. When you lose water, though, you also lose sodium, potassium, magnesium, and other so-called electrolytes from the bloodstream. Altering the finely tuned balance of these electrolytes in the blood can throw off the electrical circuitry of the heart, which can lead to a serious heart rhythm problem. My guess is that you were hospitalized so your doctors could monitor and stabilize your heart rhythm.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
